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Tag Archives: Kyle MacLachlan

I’m pretty much loving the new Twin Peaks on Showtime. There are some bits here and there that seem awkwardly implemented or haphazardly introduced, but overall I’ve been very pleasantly surprised. My fear was that David Lynch, having been out of the filmmaking game for so long, would have lost his mojo. More specifically, that the series would have been little more than a re-tread of the original. No fear: his mojo is solidly in place, and bright, novel storytelling abounds.

The New York Times has written a lot on the return of Twin Peaks, including a good amount of favorable criticism. On episode (“Part”) 3:

Mostly though, this hour is pure, magnificent abstraction, right down to the unexplained few minutes of Dr. Jacoby’s spray-painting a rack of shovels. The rest of the series could be nothing but Kyle MacLachlan shouting “Hell-ooo-ooo!” at slot machines and this episode alone will have justified the entire “Twin Peaks” revival.

Thankfully, the other 3 hours have been equally worthwhile, which portends well for the remainder of the series: an auspicious beginning to be sure.

Fargo will feature Ewan McGregor and be the most modern Fargo yet, set in 2010. I hope it’s good in spite of McGregor’s presence. Same goes for the Trainspotting sequel set to release next month (egad!).

Season 2 was entertaining, though not up to Season 1 form. There was so much violence that the National Guard would have been called in by about episode 5, so my incredulity will be alleviated if they dial it back a bit.

If previous patterns hold, AMC will air the first two seasons of Better Call Saul in marathon style leading up to the premiere. That same pattern dictates availability of Season 2 on Netflix one week prior to the premiere; Season 1 is available now. Certainly hoping it continues to be (among) the most entertaining shows ever aired. Gus Fring will be part of the story, and I’d be surprised if we don’t at some point see Walter White, as the inevitable crossover into the Breaking Bad era takes place.

As for Twin Peaks. Without going into it, let’s just say that Twin Peaks was a revelation when it first aired. Not only did I think it was an incredibly great, ground-breaking show, but it made a significant cultural impact on my life ever since. The cast list is 200 miles long, including Kyle MacLachlan and a number of other original cast members, and newcomers Michael Cera, longtime Lynchite Laura Dern, Ashley Judd, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Matthew Lillard, rock frontmen Trent Reznor and Eddie Vedder, Naomi Watts, and A-Lister Amanda Seyfried.

Such a massive cast is a lot to juggle, so I hope this doesn’t become another Dune. David Lynch and Mark Frost are producing and writing, as they did originally, and Lynch will be directing. My concern is that Lynch hasn’t made a film since Inland Empire, and was seemingly retired from dramatic presentation, content to make damn fine coffee and avant-garde music.

Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and Fargo have set a new standard in television. I hope Twin Peaks can live up to that standard while capturing the spirit, and the spirits, of the original series.

I have yet to do my ‘big post’ on the films of Oliver Stone, so for now I’ll offer my recommendation for The Doors (1991). For years now I have praised it as “the definition of film.” A great and beautiful movie on any level, but it does help if you have an appreciation of Morrison, the band and their music. 10/10